Just a random thought I had that I just tweeted:

 

 

I know everyone has visions of sugar plums -- Quintana, Gray, Archer -- dancing in their heads, but let's be realistic: buying low on a potential change of scenery candidate makes a lot of sense.

 

Liriano is still striking batters out, would cost almost nothing and is a free agent at season's end. If he stinks, you DFA him and move on. I think I'd take a stab here.

 

Thoughts?

Perhaps... his numbers in Toronto are pretty lousy, but they're small improvements from what we've gotten from Santiago and Gibson recently. I would consider the possibility as he'd have to be cheap.

I guess....The Twins do have a standout reputation of turning struggling pictures into studs. 

Liriano is one of their starters. With Sanchez on the DL they would be hesitant to move him, IMHO.

Toronto is only 3.5 games out of the wild card. I don't think they are sellers yet.

I like the thinking, though.

His FB% is higher than it's been since about a decade ago in Minnesota and his GB% is at it's lowest since that time.

 

Not sure why that is, but it's obviously a bad combination in Toronto. He's a lefty and LF in Target Field is also homer friendly and RHB are hitting him pretty well this year.

 

I'd still take him if he was basically prospect free. Contention or not his numbers and his contract sure indicate Toronto would dump him, possibly even if they can't find a trade partner.

Why is TOR punting this year?

 

And, if TOR will dump him for nothing, how valuable is he?

 

Why is TOR punting this year?

 

And, if TOR will dump him for nothing, how valuable is he?

 

I would say not very valuable. But a change-of-scenery flier is OK with me considering the internal options.

 

His poor production, contract and age actually look incredibly similar to Carl Pavano at the trade deadline in 2009.

 

Edit: The Twins also have since re-signed Yohan Pino whom they used to acquire Pavano 8 years ago!

I don't think we need another lefty starter, or a guy prone to short starts (Liriano 2017 average 4.2 innings).  As depressing as it sounds, all we need and likely can afford is someone who can pitch to contact to our solid defense, and give us 6 innings a start.

His strikeout potential might look nice in the pen for days when Rogers is gassed.

No!

He would help little, at best, in making the playoffs and he would do nothing to help assess the future of the team. He's never been known as a clubhouse leader. Why go through the churn?

Being pragmatic, the blast from the past scenario doesn't usually work out for the Twins or other Minnesota franchises for that matter. I would rather give a young prospect a chance and roll with an eye to the future while riding out this unexpected run as a contender.

Here are Liriano's numbers this season:

 

5.46 ERA, 4.83 FIP, 1.607 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 5.2 BB/9

 

In the Twins he would slot behind Berrios, Santana, and Mejia, right in front of Santiago (maybe) and Gibson.

 

I'd rather see them throw kids at that 5th spot and see if one of them can be better than that.  The Twins really need someone who would slot ahead of Mejia and hopefully ahead of Santana at this point to compete, not another 4-5 guy

Edited June 30, 20179 yr by Thrylos

Another from the "former Twin should come home crowd".  Just because a player has some kind of "Minnesota connection" doesn't make him a desirable acquisition.  I would rather that they look for someone who has a lot left in the tank and spend the necessary money and minor leaguers to actually help the team.  Recycling is for trash not baseball players.

Absolutely! I'm assuming his shrink is coming along with him?

It's too bad that the 2006 Liriano disappeared along with his UCL.

In all seriousness, I'd pick him up cheap and stick him in the pen. Perhaps groom him for high leverage sits.

 

Why is TOR punting this year?

 

 

 

Because their kicker doesn't have the leg for this distance?

You take a shot at anybody right now. The season is slowly slipping away.

He can't be any worse than Nik Turley. (Sorry I like the finally making the majors story as much as anyone but apparently there was a reason he was in the minors that long.) I was wondering the same thing about Doug Fister - wasn't he recently DFAed or put on waivers? At least he has had some success at the major league level. I'm drawing the line on Bartolo Colon though.